Combination desk set



Sept' 5, 1950 A. J. MlcHl-:L ET AL l 2,521,594

COMBINATION DESK SET Filed Jan. 2, 1947 .f5 1@ FIGJ u '.1.lp.I."1......11.1111.111,1,"'11111111111111111111'fzln Y 1012 Il JNVENToRs TH Y ALoYs JoHN MICHEL non Tues wsllajuRDl( SAT SUN BY KARL E R055 l f l l (22/ /jmw Patented Sept. 5, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT DFFICE COMBINATION DESK SET Aloys John Michel and Karl F. Ross, New York, N. Y.

Application January 2, 1947, Serial No. 719,715

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a combination desk set of novel construction, capable of serving as a calendar, memo sheet supply, and paper Weight.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this type in. which means is provided for securely storing information, such as may have been recorded on slips taken from the memo sheet supply, in a special receptacle readily accessible when needed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above type in combination with an ink well, ash tray or like accessory Which may be accommodated in an extension of its base.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described with a calendar of the loose-leaf type, arranged so that one or more sheets may be conveniently removed, affording ready access for making entries on any of the calendar sheets, and allowing for the insertion of a memo slip between any two of these sheets so that the information recorded on the slip may become apparent on a desired future date.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a loose-leaf calendar in which means is provided for giving immediate access to a sheet corresponding to any desired day of the immediately following seven-day period.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a device as set forth which is of attractive appearance and suitable for convenient mass production.

These and other objects will become apparent in the course of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig, l is a longitudinal section through a combination desk set in accordance with the invention, shown in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the desk set of Fig. l, shown in open position;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the desk set, with parts broken away to expose the mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top view of the desk set.

The base I of molded plastic material is adapted to receive the holder or frame Z, of similar material, by means of holes 3 in which the studs are pivoted in the fully assembled condition of the device. Means, such as a spring 5 normally secured to the base I with the aid of screw 6, serve to tilt the frame 2 upward and backward except when the latter is held flush with the base by retaining means which include a pair of resiliently mounted hooks l, only one of which is shown in the drawing. These hooks cooperate 2 with a suitably shaped ledge 8 secured to the bottom 9 of the frame 2. A rod I0, rotatably mounted on the underside of the base, interconnects the two hooks and may be actuated by means of a trip lever II, formed with a button I 2, to release the frame 2 from its horizontal position. The base I is also formed with anextension I3, having a circular recess I4 adapted to serve as an ash tray, a receptacle for an ink well, or the like.

The frame 2 has slidably disposed therein van insert I5, constituting a compartment for notes which may be written on sheets taken fromthe memo pad or loose-leaf supply I6. The frame also holds a calendar I'I which may be of the loose-leaf type and is normally forced against the top I8 of the frame bythe springs i9, acting upon the underside of the insert I5 through a suitable aperture such as a slot 23 provided in the bottom 9. It will be appreciated that a second pair of springs similar to the springs I9 is arranged at points opposite therefrom and hence not visible in the drawing. Wings 2li on the base I prevent the notes etc. from dropping out of the compartment I5 when the frame 2 is in its normal horizontal position. Bosses 2l serve to keep the sheets IB from slipping out of the base member I. These sheets are conveniently accessible when the frame is in its tilted position, upon actuation of the button I2.

According to a further feature of the invention, the sheets of the calendar I'I are provided with tabs 22 by which a leaf corresponding to a particular day of the week may be lifted up Without removal from the frame, hence when the latter is in its closed position. By this means, entries concerning future appointments etc. may be conveniently made without opening the device to release the leaves; on the other hand, when the frame is tilted and the insert I5 is released from the pressure of springs I9, the leaves I'I may be lifted up suiilciently to permit the insertion of a slip taken from the supply I6, for the purpose of recording more extensive information to become apparent on a particular future day. The tilted position of the frame also serves for the removal of one or more calendar sheets to change the date appearing within the cutout of top member I8.

Thus it will be seen that our device permits the convenient withdrawal of each calendar leaf without the necessity of opening and retightening any screws, and without causing any of the unsightly stubs normally associated with nonpermanent calendars to remain in the holder.

It will valso be apparent that no special safeguards are needed for retaining the leaves of the calendar or the slips in the receptacle I5 in their place, since due to the arrangement of the parts the frame 2 will always be tilted backwards when the device is opened. It will further be noted that with a proper initial adjustment of the springs I9, or such equivalent means as may be provided, the pressure on the leaves of the calendar I'I will remain substantially constant throughout the year, since the greater weight of these leaves after the insertion of a new calendar will be effectively counterbalanced by the greater deflection of the springs.

In addition to serving as a means for accommodating the recess I4, which may be used in the manner suggested above or in a number of other ways, the extension I3 has the further function of stabilizing the device and, more particularly, of preventing the same from tipping over backward when the frame 2 is snapped open ;l:"

by means of the button I2. The spring 5 may also be replaced by a different form of resilient member, e. g. a pair of spiraled steel wires fastened to the studs 4 and anchored to the base I or extension I3.

Various modifications and adaptations of the invention may readily suggest themselves, and it should be understood that the particular embodiment shown and described has been given by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way eX- cept as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A combination desk set comprising a base, a holder pivotally mounted on said base so as to be swingable between a rst and a second position, latch means adapted to retain said holder in said rst position, operating means for inactivating said latch means, resilient means anchored to said holder and to said base and tending to swing said holder into said second position upon inactivation of said latch means, said holder having a fixed top, an insert slidably received in said holder so as to be movable relative to said top, said insert being adapted to clamp a set of loose leaves between itself and said top, said holder having an apertured bottom, and spring means xed to said base and extending through said apertured bottom so as to bear upon said insert when said holder is in said rst position, thereby forcing the same against said top, while releasing said insert when said holder is in said second position, thereby permitting withdrawal of one or more of said leaves.

2. A combination desk set according to claim 1 wherein said insert is provided with a compartment adapted to receive additional leaves, said compartment having an open side for the insel'- tion of said additional leaves.

3. A combination desk set according to claim 2 wherein said base is formed with lateral projections partially obstructing said open side when said holder is in said first position.

A. JOHN MICHEL. KARL F. ROSS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 12,861 Shedd Oct. 6, 1908 477,942 Kelso June 28, 1892 1,518,876 Rosine Dec. 9, 1924 

